He asked, “Can we... chat... Miss Mills?”
“What? We're all?—”
He put his hand on my arm in a way someone might view as possessive. I should have pushed him away, but in truth, I liked that he couldn’t help himself.
“Um.. okay?'
“I just wanted to... chat.”
“Uh... okay.”
I remained so confused.
He took my hand and led me around a corner.
“What is your deal,sir?” I glowered.
“I don't have a deal. My intentions are pure. But there are things you should know.”
His confused state endeared me. I didn’t have time for this, but if I burned my bridge, he’d never give me a sterling reference. I refocused on the here and now. Things could have been so much worse. I could have hated this client.
I joked, “You know, Your Royal Highness, this looks mighty suspicious. Someone might think you were out to adulterate me in this very hallway.”
He wasn't laughing. “Ella, I don't have time for jokes.”
“Oh?”
“Stop it. Okay? You're distracting me.”
“What?”
“You do this thing where you're... like trying to pull rank or whatever, and it works so well. God, I'd love to kiss that scowl off your face right now.”
Wellthatescalated.
“Get to the fucking point, sir,” I said.
“In February, Mum is sending me out on a tour.”
“I am aware. I was briefed?—”
“She plans to poach you and will send you along to babysit me.”
Dumbfounded, I backed against the hallway wall.
“Just refuse the job offer and... it will be fine.”
Job offer!I couldn’t even hide my smile. Why was he not lighting up or jumping at this? Of course, Duncan had no idea I planned toquitmy job and would be willing to take anything that paid enough for me to move into a proper apartment. But maybe the pay would be shit? I tried not to get ahead of myself.
“Eloise! You cannot be serious! Are you mad? You loathe me being your charge.”
“Will this be agenerousjob offer?” I crossed my arms.
My gaze did not waiver. This worked for him, And while I hated to admit, it worked for me even if I would have to sufferthrough a few more months as a royal babysitter to make it pay out.
“Don't start. I will... I must sit through this meeting and not think about all the things I would much rather do to you than talk in this hallway,” Duncan said. “But just know I had nothing to do with it. I don't want you to feel... beholden or trapped. Let me make it clear.”
“So you would like me to say no so you don't have to see me?” I clarified. “Because I am a great distraction.”
